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Eagles have recent edge over Chris Judd

Justin Chadwick

Chris Judd has achieved more than most over his decorated AFL career, but the star Carlton midfielder will have a point to prove in Saturday night's clash with West Coast in Perth.

Since the Eagles soared back into premiership mode in 2011, Judd's impact against his former side has dipped dramatically.

The 29-year-old was a dominant figure as the Blues posted four straight wins over West Coast from 2008-10.

But in the past three games between the two sides, the dual Brownlow medallist has averaged just 15 possessions, with West Coast winning each of those encounters.

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In the only clash between the sides last season, Eagles tagger Scott Selwood restricted Judd to just 12 possessions in a dominant blanketing effort.

Selwood again looms as Judd's opponent, and the Blues will be hoping their former captain will be able to break the tag this time around.

Judd has started 2013 on a bright note, averaging 26 disposals and a goal in losses to Richmond, Collingwood and Geelong.

The 2005 Norm Smith medallist and six-time All-Australian played 134 games for the Eagles and even captained the club before switching to Carlton at the end of 2007.

Saturday's match will be a double homecoming of sorts, with Blues coach Mick Malthouse also making his return to Perth.

Malthouse coached West Coast to two premierships during the 1990s, and played a large role in the development of then-captain John Worsfold, who has been at the helm of West Coast for the past 12 years.

The Blues and Malthouse are under pressure following the club's 0-3 start to the season, but Worsfold was adamant Malthouse had lost none of his coaching prowess during his year out of the game.

"I don't think he would have missed a beat," Worsfold said of Malthouse, who took a year off coaching after leaving Collingwood in 2011.

"I would think if you weren't coaching for three or four years, you could still step back in provided you stayed around the competition in some sort of role.

"You could step back in and coach, no worries at all. So one year is like a blink of the eye."

The Eagles welcome back defender Eric Mackenzie from injury, but wingman Andrew Embley is out for up to three weeks with a foot injury.

Carlton recalled ruckman Robbie Warnock for his first match since round 14 last year.

Warnock will take on a sizeable chunk of the ruck duty in the absence of Matthew Kreuzer, who is nursing a broken thumb.